Ava led him to the old watchtower.
No one used it anymore.
The wind howled through the broken metal, and rain slammed the roof like falling knives.
She tossed Liam a practice blade—dull but heavy.
"I don't do talking," she said.
"I noticed."
"We fight. You win, I follow. I win…" She paused. "I get to remember who I was before they took my arm."
Liam gripped the sword. "Deal."
They stood ten feet apart.
She moved first—no warning.
Fast. Lethal.
Liam barely blocked the downward strike aimed at his collarbone.
The shock rippled through his wrist.
She spun, kicked his ribs, and sent him sprawling.
She didn't stop.
Ava fought like someone who wanted to lose control.
Like violence was the only language she remembered.
He took two more hits before he caught her leg and twisted.
They both crashed to the floor.
Breathing hard.
Their weapons clattered across the room.
"I'm not your enemy," Liam said.
She snarled. "Then stop pretending you understand."
He wiped blood from his lip.
"You think you're the only one who's broken? The only one who lost something?"
Her expression faltered.
"My family died," he said. "I watched a girl rot in my arms. I heard the Root whispering in my dreams. I'm still standing."
"You didn't have to kill your sister," she spat.
That stopped him cold.
She turned away.
"I did."
A pause.
"She turned. Halfway. Still had her eyes. Still begged me not to do it."
Liam swallowed.
He stood, slowly, and walked to her.
"You're still alive."
"I'm still bleeding."
He gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
She flinched—but didn't pull away.
[System Sync Opportunity – Ava]
> Trigger: Shared Vulnerability via Combat Clarity
Outcome: Bond Level 1
Trait: "Damage Share" (10% split damage taken by either bonded party)
Risk: Trauma Echo Feedback
Engage Bond?
[Yes] | [No]
He chose Yes.
Ava turned.
Tears streamed down her face, silent and furious.
"I don't want to feel safe," she whispered. "Safe feels like lying."
"You don't have to be safe," Liam said. "Just real. With me."
She leaned in slowly—and kissed him.
Hard. Desperate.
Not passion.
Permission.
To feel something without breaking.
[Bond Established – Ava: Rank 1]
> Trait Unlocked: Damage Share (10% of all physical harm redirected between Liam and Ava)
Passive: Pain Anchor – Slight resistance to fear and panic effects when near bonded partner
Lust Control: 50%
Harem Rite Progress: 5/10
Ava Stability: 61% – Subject may gain or lose trust depending on post-bond decisions
Afterward, they sat together, backs against the tower wall, watching lightning split the sky.
Ava didn't speak much.
But she let him hold her.
And that was enough.
Down in the council hall, Caleb entered the central chamber.
He carried a device Liam had given him—rigged with the full Red Garden Files.
He plugged it into the broadcast console.
A timer began: 15 minutes.
After that, the entire Sanctuary network would see what Sera had done.
And then?
The war would begin.
[System Notification – Operation Bloombreaker: Phase 1 Begins]
> Time Until Public Leak: 14:42
Liam Bonded: 7
Engagements: 5/10
Red Bloom Event In: 5 Days
That night, Liam returned to Echo's side.
She looked up from a flickering terminal.
"You found her," she said.
"She found herself," Liam replied.
Echo smiled faintly.
Then her expression turned serious.
"I intercepted something," she said, tapping the screen.
A security alert.
From Sanctuary Thirteen.
> "Pre-Bloom Sequence Initiated. Vessel Selection: In Progress."
Liam's throat tightened.
"They're already choosing."